Ideas for Updating Your Cabinets Simply

The easiest and most cost-effective way of updating kitchen cabinets is to paint them. Begin by choosing your color scheme. Look at the colors in your backsplash, floor tiles, countertops, and any fabric used in your kitchen. Select a light and a dark color that is compatible.

Now you are ready to begin. First unscrew the latches from the cabinets and remove all of the doors. Now clean out the cabinets and thoroughly clean the inner walls and shelves. Remove the handles from the doors. Lightly sand the doors and examine for cracks. Fill the cracks with putty and then sand smooth.

Now you are ready to paint. Using the lighter color, paint the inside of the cabinets and the doors. Then paint the outside of the doors with the darker color. This will create a three dimensional effect. If you want to add an accent color, before painting the outsides, place a strip of tape one to two inches wide around the edges of the doors. When the primary paint color dries, remove the tape and paint the edges with your accent color. In all cases apply at least two and preferably three thin coats. After the first coat, you can lightly sand once more to remove any imperfections.

Next you can address the handles. Decorative hardware handles are relatively inexpensive and will nicely complete the new look of your cabinets. You can purchase them from your local home or hardware store. Screw in the new handles and you can reattach the doors.

If you have a bit more budget, then you can purchase you can purchase new doors with glass inserts and even add lighting to the inside of the cabinets. But the simple repaint with new hardware will give your kitchen a fresh new look at a very reasonable price.